In our efforts to manage the administrative threats surrounding COVID-19, our hiring process continues, however, we will discontinue processing applications for the summer Honors Internship Program. Thank you for bearing with us as we work through this unforeseen challenge. Internship applicants and participants, please refer to the Students Page for updated information.

Graduate Opportunities

Take your expertise to new heights with unparalleled opportunities.

“Industry allows you to do interesting and challenging work, but in the end the objective is to make money for someone else. The Bureau gives you the opportunity to do challenging work, and to better the lives of citizens.”
– Telecommunications Specialist, Detroit

Take Your Expertise to New Heights

Continue your education during and after graduate school by experiencing the FBI's unique opportunities for graduate students, including our Honors Internship Program, Collegiate Hiring Initiative, and participation in the Presidential Management Fellows program. To learn more about these opportunities, explore the sections below.

Our 10-week paid internship for undergraduate and graduate students offers a unique opportunity to learn and work alongside FBI employees while getting a head start on an exceptional career.

Interns with a bachelor’s degree who are enrolled in a full-time graduate program will receive GS-5 pay. All other full-time students, including dual-enrollment students, will receive GS-4 pay, including undergraduate students enrolled in a graduate course.

Honors Internship Program

Honors Internship Program

The FBI Honors Internship Program is one of the most prestigious and competitive internships in the country. This 10-week paid summer experience immerses graduate students pursuing JDs, MBAs, MDs, and PhDs in unique experiences that combine law enforcement with national security and intelligence. Open to all academic backgrounds, the FBI places students in a wide range of fields that match their background and studies. Working with Special Agents and other professionals in our Washington, D.C. headquarters or in our field offices nationwide, students will be able to try out an FBI career and actively contribute to the protection of the United States.

Collegiate Hiring Initiative

Collegiate Hiring Initiative

The application cycle for the 2020 Collegiate Hiring Initiative is currently closed. Application details for the 2021 Collegiate Hiring Initiative will become available July 2020.

The FBI’s Collegiate Hiring Initiative recruits graduating seniors or individuals who have undergraduate, graduate or PhD degrees to begin their careers in a hands-on, supportive team environment. For the 2021 Collegiate Hiring Initiative, students must graduate by June 2021. For Veterans, eligibility is within six years of the program date (June 2015 – June 2021).

From assisting squads and operations to analyzing business processes and ensuring security, recent graduates help support a huge part of the FBI’s mission. The Collegiate Hiring Initiative also gives recent graduates a chance to explore and transition into the many exceptional career paths the FBI has to offer, as well as into other opportunities within the federal government or the private sector.

To apply for the Collegiate Hiring Initiative, applicants must:

Be a U.S. citizen.

Attend/have attended a college or university as an undergraduate, graduate or post-doctoral student.

Recent graduates must have graduated within 24 months of the program date or within 72 months for veterans.

Upcoming graduates must graduate by June of the program start year (for example, for the 2021 Collegiate Hiring Initiative, students must graduate by June 2021).

Have and maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) or better at the time of application and through graduation.

Pass all of the FBI employment background investigation requirements and be able to receive a Top Secret clearance.

The full-time, entry-level hiring program supports a huge part of the FBI’s mission and offers participants a chance to explore and transition into many exceptional FBI careers.

Collegiate Hiring Initiative Career Paths

The following are some of the many exciting career opportunities the FBI has to offer:

Computer Scientist – Have you dreamed about developing tools and platforms that save lives? As a Computer Scientist, you will work directly with Special Agents and Intelligence Analysts to develop and implement tools, techniques and procedures to address unique investigative situations. Computer Scientists do everything from analyzing and preserving digital evidence and testing and applying technical and analytical innovations to building virtual computing environments and constructing isolated analysis networks. You will have the opportunity to innovate, test and learn while using your creativity and engineering skills in this essential role that directly impacts the FBI’s mission.

Data Analyst – As a native in the world of big data, you are trained to see trends and solve problems. Data Analysts work directly with investigative teams to uncover patterns and guide next steps. Your work might include managing and conditioning data for long-term use and retention, normalizing data sets, and identifying patterns for use in investigative planning. You will use quantitative and qualitative techniques and tools to help investigative teams get the results they need to move forward.

Digital Operations Specialist – Do you find yourself being the person who explains things like malware, VPNs, MAC addresses or virtual currencies to your friends and family? Digital Operations Specialists are computer and network pros who tactically assist investigative teams with identifying, seizing and analyzing digital evidence related to online activities encountered during investigations. You will use your knowledge to maximize investigators’ understanding of the full digital footprint of their subjects’ illegal activities.

Electronics Technician – Electronics Technicians are central to the FBI’s ability to respond to a crisis. Electronics Technicians perform critical work on communication systems — enabling a Special Agent to save a child’s life or prevent a terrorist attack. As an Electronics Technician, you may be installing or performing corrective maintenance on a variety of FBI systems to ensure the safety of the American people.

IT Specialist (General) – As an IT Specialist, you will help FBI employees solve critical issues and enable them to get the job done. You will be an important resource on technology and information, and will configure, analyze, adapt and develop new processes and systems to ensure the FBI’s technical capabilities continue to improve. You will have opportunities nationwide, but consider applying to our Washington, DC, Headquarters location if you have the following expertise and interests:

Cloud Engineering

Database Administration

Software Engineering

Big Data Technology

Platform/Site Reliability Engineering

IT Specialist-Forensic Examiner (ITS-FE) – As an ITS-FE, you will be exposed to a new world of information technology and have the chance to work on unique investigations with partners across the United States. ITS-FEs use their technical capabilities scientifically by applying rigor and process to the evaluation, preservation and collection of digital evidence. You’ll be part of your Field Office’s Computer Analysis Response Team, an elite group of technical experts, and have an opportunity to work not only on FBI investigations, but those of our partners as well.

Budget Analyst – As a Budget Analyst with the FBI, you will be involved in developing, analyzing or executing budgets, preparing data in support of the budgetary cycle, analyzing and comparing budget estimates for variations and making recommendations to upper management regarding a number of issues, including transfers and reallocation of funding and much more!

Security Specialist – Security is of paramount importance to the FBI! As a Security Specialist, you will provide direct support and service to the administration of FBI security programs, initiate appropriate security checks, process background investigations, conduct personnel security interviews and security briefings and much more.

Human Resources Specialist – As a Human Resources Specialist, you will focus on the FBI’s most precious asset: our people. You will be involved in a number of areas, such as compensation, employee relations, human resource development, benefits, position management and/or recruitment/placement/workforce management and staffing services for one of the most prestigious organizations in the world.

Management and Program Analyst – As a Management and Program Analyst, you will research and develop projects in budget and financial management, compliance, forecasting and more. You will investigate and evaluate short- and long-range program goals, objectives and milestones for compliance with overall mission. Duties involve preparing complete, clear and concise formal and informal reports, correspondence, briefings, charts, tables and graphs.

Application Process

Applicants must meet the FBI’s Employment Eligibility requirements. Applicants will also be required to provide their GPA, anticipated graduation date, veteran status and any other information related to work experience in their application.

Presidential Management Fellows

Presidential Management Fellows

A flagship federal government program, the Presidential Management Fellows program encourages the development of leaders throughout the U.S. government. The FBI is a proud participant in the PMF program and encourages advanced-degree candidates to apply.

Visiting Scientist Program

Visiting Scientist Program

The Visiting Scientist Program gives applicants the chance to work within the FBI Laboratory, one of the largest and most comprehensive crime labs in the world. Since 1982, the Laboratory’s Research Unit has welcomed college students, postgraduates and faculty and given them a unique work experience. Program participants perform research in areas of interest unique to law enforcement and national security under the guidance of leading forensic scientists. To learn more, click here.

Applicants must meet the following criteria at the time they apply: Only individuals possessing strong academic credentials, outstanding character and a high degree of motivation will be selected for the Visiting Scientist Program.

Must be attending a college or university that is accredited by one of the regional or national institutional associations recognized by the United States Secretary of Education.

Must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale and be in good standing with his or her undergraduate or graduate degree program.

Postgraduate applicants still pursuing their degree must be on track to complete their degree prior to the starting date; postgraduate applicants with degrees must have received their degree within five years of the desired starting date.

Faculty applicants must be full-time, permanent faculty members at an accredited U.S. college or university.

All candidates must be citizens of the United States.

Employment Requirements

Applicants must meet all FBI Employment Requirements, pass an FBI Background Investigation and receive a Top Secret Clearance.

There are specific elements that will automatically disqualify job candidates for employment with the FBI. For detailed Employment Eligibility and Employment disqualifiers, click here.

Selection Process

Participants are selected based on academic records, recommendations, applied research interests and compatibility of background with applied research programs and projects at the Research Unit. Selection is also dependent upon availability of funds, staff programs and equipment. Final selection of participants is made by the Research Unit.

How to Apply

The FBI Visiting Scientist Program is an FBI-sponsored educational program in partnership with Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) and is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE).